Four state legislators received awards Tuesday for their tireless work on behalf of children in this year’s regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly.

Northwest Arkansas lawmakers Sen. Sue Madison, Sen. Johnny Key, Rep. Uvalde Lindsey and Rep. Greg Leding accepted the awards at the Northwest Arkansas Kids Count Post-Legislative Forum in Springdale.

All told, 14 lawmakers will receive awards this year from the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition. The remaining lawmakers will be recognized at a statewide Kids Count Post-Legislative Conference in Little Rock on May 12. Register today for the central Arkansas event by emailing LaTisha Young at lyoung@aradvocates.org or call 501-371-9678 Ext. 117.

Madison, serving her final term in the Arkansas Senate, is a longtime champion of vulnerable children, particularly abused and neglected kids and those in the juvenile justice system. For her work, the Coalition named her a “Kids Count Legend.” Key and Lindsey were named “Kids Count Champions,” while Leding, serving his first term in the Legislature, was recognized as a “Kids Count Rising Star.”

Reps. Jon Woods of Springdale, Tim Summers of Bentonville and Debra Hobbs of Rogers also discussed children’s legislation at the forum. They, too, were commended by advocates for supporting legislation important to children and families.

Overall, it was a good session for children, especially considering the state’s tight revenue situation, said Laura Kellams, AACF’s Northwest Arkansas director.

“Thanks to our lawmakers and Gov. Beebe, we improved children’s access to health care, secured an income tax cut for families in poverty and defended against harmful tax cuts that would have jeopardized important services to children,” Kellams said.

Sen. Sue Madison receives the Kids Count Legend Award from AACF’s Paul Kelly.

Sen. Johnny Key receives the Kids Count Champion Award. Rep. Debra Hobbs is seated in front of him.

Rep. Uvalde Lindsey receives the Kids Count Champion Award.

Rep. Greg Leding receives the Kids Count Rising Star Award. Seated at the table, from left, are Sen. Key, Rep. Hobbs and Rep. Tim Summers, as well as Sen. Sue Madison.

Rep. Jon Woods speaks about passing a bill to improve the teeth of Arkansas children by providing fluoride in more water systems.